DALLAS (Feb. 8, 20,22) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recently that 19 organizations were selected to receive a total amount of $3797,102 in grants to support job training programs across the nation. The Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing economic opportunities and delivering environmental justice to underserved areas is reflected in job training and workforce development. The Tribes will receive approximately $200,000.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a unique opportunity to create a better America. This means new, well-paying jobs. Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator said that the Brownfields Job Training grants today will prepare over 1,000 people for new jobs in the environment. This program will directly affect people’s lives and help transform communities that most need it.
Dr. Earthea Nance, Regional Administrator, stated that the Cheyenne Tribes and Arapaho Tribes are strong partners in leveraging EPA Brownfields funds to multiply the benefit for their community, their environment, and Tribal members. EPA is proud of their efforts and to see their environmental programs grow in strength.
These grants are part of EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program. They provide funding for organizations that work to create a skilled workforce. A variety of obstacles can be overcome by job-seekers who have completed a job training program funded EPA. Many of these individuals come from historically underserved communities and reside in areas that are impacted by environmental justice issues.
Each selected grantee will be awarded approximately $200,000. The following grantees have been selected:
| Name | Localization |
|---|---|
| Alaska Forum, Inc. | Anchorage, Alaska |
| City of Pittsburg | Pittsburg, California |
| City of Richmond | Richmond, California |
| Los Angeles Conservation Corporation | Los Angeles, California |
| Hunters Point Family | San Francisco, California |
| Pioneer Bay Community Development Corporation | Port St. Joe in Florida |
| OAI, Inc. | Chicago, Illinois |
| Workforce, Inc., dba Recycle Force | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Civics Works, Inc. | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Springfield, Missouri | Springfield, Missouri |
| Heartland Conservation Alliance | Kansas City, Missouri |
| St. Louis Community College | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Pathstone Corporation | Rochester, New York |
| Rochester City | Rochester, New York |
| Laborers Local 17 Training and Educational Fund | Newburgh, New York |
| Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe | Concho, Oklahoma |
| Auberle | McKeesport, Pennsylvania |
| Coalfield Development Corporation | Wayne, West Virginia |
| Great Lakes Community Conservation Corp, Inc. | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
These organizations offer training and provide certifications to local residents who are unable to find work in distant cities. Most individuals graduate with a range of certifications that increase their marketability, and help ensure that long-term career opportunities are available. This includes certifications in:
- Lead and asbestos abatement
- Emergency response to hazardous waste operations
- Mold remediation
- Analyze and perform environmental sampling
- Additional safety and health training.
Bipartisan congressional action and President Biden’s leadership have resulted in the largest investment in national brownfields infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act (BIL), which invests more $1.5 billion through EPA’s brownfields program, has more than $1.5 million. $30 million of that investment will be used to fund future Brownfields Job Training grants. Over the next five-years, communities, states, or tribes will be able to apply for larger grants to improve and include the environmental curriculum in their existing job training programs. This investment will enable trained individuals to access jobs created by brownfields revitalization activities in their communities.
EPA expects to grant as many 50 additional grants to job-training entities with BIL funding starting in fiscal year 2023. Application guidelines for BIL funding will be available in spring/summer 2022.
EPA also plans to hold a listening session in order to collect feedback from potential grant applicants on the BIL, and the future of Brownfields Job Training Grant Program. The listening session is scheduled for February 9, 2022 from 12:30-2pm EST. https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1604678094
Since its inception in 1998, the Brownfields Job Training Program (Brownfields) has awarded more that 352grants. More than 19,456 individuals have completed training, and of those, more than14,560individuals have been placed in full-time employment in careers related to remediation and environmental health and safety. These individuals make an average of $14 an hour.
For more information on todays selected Brownfields Job Training rant recipients, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicants-selected-fy22-brownfields-job-training-grants
For more information on this, and other types of Brownfields grants, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-job-training-jt-grants
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